efforts with educational institutions and industry partners, the county strives to equip its residents with the skills needed for local job opportunities. Ridley explains the county’s proactive measures.“Our school system has built a Career Academy in the last few years. It’s designed so a student can graduate on Friday night and start work on Monday morning, fully prepared,” he explains. “They’ve increased cosmetology, culinary arts, automotive, carpentry, welding, robotics, daycare, and teaching programs.” The county school system now follows a college and career model, introducing soft skills as early as second and third grade. These efforts extend to the city school system.“The county schools’ graduation rate is over 98%, the best in northwest Georgia,” McDonald notes.The technical 122 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 09
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